How to enable 120fps on Xbox Series X is one of the most common questions new owners search for — and the answer involves more than just flipping a single switch. You need the right TV or monitor, the right cable, the right system settings, and in many cases the right in-game mode too. This guide walks through every step clearly.
TL;DR
- You need a 120Hz display and an HDMI 2.1 cable for 4K at 120fps
- Go to Settings > General > TV & Display Options > Refresh Rate and select 120Hz
- Enable Allow 120Hz under Video Modes in the same menu
- Many games require you to manually select a Performance Mode in their own settings
- Use the 4K TV Details screen to confirm everything is working
- FPS Boost can push older backward-compatible games to 60fps or 120fps automatically
What You Need to Play at 120fps on Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X can output up to 120 frames per second, but your hardware needs to support it. Before changing any settings, check you have the following:
- A 120Hz display: Your TV or monitor must support 120Hz. Most budget TVs max out at 60Hz.
- HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120fps: If you want full 4K resolution at 120fps, you need both an HDMI 2.1 cable and an HDMI 2.1 port on your display. The cable that comes in the box is Ultra High Speed rated and fine for this.
- HDMI 2.0 is enough for 1080p at 120fps: If you’re on a 1080p or 1440p display, you can still get 120fps over HDMI 2.0.
- VRR support is a bonus: Not required for 120fps, but a display that supports Variable Refresh Rate will smooth out frame dips below 120fps.
If you’re unsure how your console stacks up against the competition in terms of display features, our Xbox Series X vs PS5 guide breaks down the differences. And if you haven’t finished your initial console setup yet, start with the Xbox Series X setup guide first.
How to Enable 120fps on Xbox Series X — System Settings
Once your hardware is ready, here’s exactly what to change in the Xbox settings.
Step 1: Open TV and Display Options
- Press the Xbox button on your controller
- Navigate right to Profile & System
- Select Settings
- Select General
- Select TV & Display Options
Step 2: Set the Refresh Rate to 120Hz
In the TV & Display Options menu, look for the Refresh Rate dropdown. Change it from 60Hz to 120Hz.
If your screen goes black and doesn’t come back, your display doesn’t support 120Hz. The console will revert to 60Hz automatically after a few seconds. No action needed — just check your TV’s specs and settings.
If your TV is capable but the option isn’t showing, make sure the HDMI port is set to Enhanced Mode, Game Mode, or Ultra HD in your TV’s own settings. Different brands name this differently — Samsung calls it Ultra HD Deep Colour, LG calls it HDMI Ultra HD Deep Colour, Sony uses Enhanced Format.
Step 3: Enable Allow 120Hz in Video Modes
Setting the refresh rate alone isn’t always enough. You also need to enable 120Hz in the Video Modes section.
- Still in TV & Display Options, scroll right and select Advanced
- Select Video Modes
- Tick the box for Allow 120Hz
This tells the console it has permission to output at 120Hz. Both this setting and the refresh rate dropdown need to be correct for 120fps games to work properly.
While you’re in this menu, it’s also worth enabling Allow 4K, Allow HDR10, and Allow Variable Refresh Rate if your display supports them. For a full breakdown of every option in this menu, check our Xbox Series X display settings guide.
Step 4: Verify With 4K TV Details
To confirm 120Hz is actually active, go back to TV & Display Options and select 4K TV Details. This screen shows whether your TV supports 4K UHD at 120Hz, HDR, and VRR — all with green ticks or warnings. If 120Hz shows a tick, your system-level setup is correct.
How to Enable 120fps in Individual Games
This is the step many people miss. Enabling 120Hz at the system level doesn’t automatically mean every game runs at 120fps. Most games have their own frame rate settings.
The majority of demanding titles offer two or three modes:
- Quality Mode: Prioritises resolution and visual effects. Usually runs at 30fps or 60fps.
- Performance Mode: Prioritises frame rate. Often targets 60fps or 120fps at a lower resolution.
- Performance RT Mode: Some games offer a third mode with ray tracing at 60fps.
To get 120fps, you need to select the Performance Mode in each game’s settings and check whether that game actually supports 120fps specifically — not all Performance Modes go up to 120fps. Some cap at 60fps even in Performance Mode.
For example, Rocket League requires you to go into the game’s Video settings and select the Performance option to unlock 120fps output. Each game handles this differently, so check the settings menu when you launch a new title.
What Is FPS Boost and How Does It Work
FPS Boost is a system-level feature that boosts the frame rate of older backward-compatible games — doubling or in some cases quadrupling the original frame rate without any developer involvement. A game that originally ran at 30fps can be pushed to 60fps or even 120fps via FPS Boost.
It works at the console level, not the game level. The game itself doesn’t know it’s running faster — Xbox handles the boost behind the scenes. In some cases, resolution may be slightly reduced to make the higher frame rate possible.
FPS Boost is automatic for most supported titles. If it isn’t active by default on a specific game, you can enable it manually:
- Open My Games & Apps
- Highlight the game and press the Menu button (three lines) on your controller
- Select Manage Game and Add-ons
- Select Compatibility Options
- Toggle FPS Boost on
The official list of FPS Boost-supported titles is maintained on the Xbox Wire FPS Boost page. The program is no longer being expanded to new games, but the existing list covers a solid range of older titles.
Does Xbox Series X Support 4K at 120fps?
Yes — but only when both the TV and the game support it simultaneously. Getting 4K at 120fps requires HDMI 2.1, a display with a proper HDMI 2.1 port (not HDMI 2.1 TMDS, which often reverts to 2.0 speeds), and a game that specifically targets that output.
In practice, most games that hit 120fps do so at 1080p or 1440p rather than full 4K — because rendering at 4K and 120fps simultaneously is extremely demanding. A handful of less intensive titles achieve native 4K at 120fps, but it’s not common for graphically complex games.
If your TV doesn’t have HDMI 2.1, you can still get 120fps — just at 1080p or 1440p over HDMI 2.0. For a TV vs monitor breakdown and what each setup gets you, the Xbox Series X display settings guide covers this in detail.
Xbox Series X vs Series S — 120fps Differences
Not every game that supports 120fps on Xbox Series X also supports it on Xbox Series S. The Series S is less powerful and targets 1440p rather than 4K, so some games only offer 120fps support on the more powerful model.
Always check the specific game if you’re on Series S. The frame rate mode available may differ between the two consoles. Our Xbox Series X vs Series S comparison and the Xbox Series S review both cover the performance differences in more detail.
Why Is 120fps Not Working on Xbox Series X
If you’ve followed the steps above but 120fps still isn’t working, work through these checks:
TV Set to 60Hz Mode
Many TVs default to 60Hz even on HDMI 2.1 ports. Check your TV’s picture or HDMI settings and enable the Enhanced Mode or Ultra HD option on the specific port you’re using. Without this, the TV won’t accept a 120Hz signal regardless of what the console sends.
Wrong HDMI Cable
A standard HDMI cable can’t carry the bandwidth needed for 4K at 120fps. Use the Ultra High Speed HDMI cable that came with your console, or buy a certified Ultra High Speed replacement. Regular HDMI 2.0 cables will cap you at 4K/60fps or reduce colour depth.
Game Doesn’t Support 120fps
Not all games support 120fps. Check the game’s settings for a Performance Mode or 120fps option. If no such option exists, the game likely caps at 60fps regardless of your system settings.
Allow 120Hz Is Not Ticked
Double check under Settings > General > TV & Display Options > Advanced > Video Modes that Allow 120Hz is ticked. It’s easy to set the refresh rate dropdown to 120Hz but leave this unticked.
HDMI Passthrough Issues
If your console is connected through an AV receiver or soundbar, that device may not pass HDMI 2.1 signals correctly. Most budget receivers don’t support full HDMI 2.1 passthrough. Connect the console directly to the TV and route audio through HDMI eARC instead.
Popular Games That Support 120fps on Xbox Series X
Here are some well-known titles with 120fps support, either natively or via FPS Boost:
- Fortnite — 120fps in Performance Mode (resolution reduced to 1440p)
- Halo Infinite — 120fps Performance Mode available
- Call of Duty titles — 120fps supported in Performance Mode
- Gears 5 — up to 120fps on Series X
- Sea of Thieves — targets 120fps on compatible displays
- Rocket League — requires manual selection in-game video settings
- Dirt 5 — 120fps mode available
The full list of 120fps-supported titles continues to grow. Many of the best titles with high frame rate support are available on Game Pass — see our best games on Xbox Game Pass list and the full Game Pass games list for more. For a wider look at the console’s top titles overall, our best Xbox Series X games guide is worth bookmarking.
